Bengaluru-based fab-less semiconductor company Signalchip has introduced India’s first LTE chip with the launch of the SCBM3412 4G/LTE modem, SCBM3404 4X4 LTE baseband modem, SCRF3402 LTE transceiver and SCRF4502 5G transceiver under the Agumbe Chipset family, all of which will support all LTE/5G-NR bands up to 6GHz. The launch was conducted in the presence of Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundararajan.
SCBM3412: 4G/LTE modem with baseband and transceiver
The Signalchip SCBM3412 implements all functions of a 2×2 dual carrier MIMO LTE base station in a single chip. The RF portions cover all LTE bands up to 6GHz. It also performs advanced front-end signal processing algorithms like crest factor reduction and predistortion.
SCBM3404: 4X4 LTE baseband modem
Signalchip’s SCBM3404 can transmit and receive 4 streams of data and can perform complex 4×4 MIMO reception. The chipset is targeted for larger form factor base stations to be paired with two SCRF3402 RF transceiver chips either through JESD204B ports on the same board or through a CPRI link when used in a Baseband Unit that connects to a Remote Radio Unit.
SCRF3402: 2X2 transceiver for LTE
The SCRF3402 chip from Signalchip offers all analogue baseband and RF front end functions of a 2×2 MIMO wireless system in a single chip. It contains the RF portions like low noise amplifiers, power amplifier interfacing with the antenna, filters, high-speed data converters, Frequency synthesizers, and mixers. The device also integrates a third auxiliary receiver to facilitate network listen, LTE-LAA listen before talk and the reception of navigation signals. The chipset can also be paired with SCBM3404 for covering large area networks. It additionally offers direct operation with a CPRI interface with a reduced significant cost in remote radio units.
SCRF4502: 2X2 transceiver for 5G NR standards
Signalchip’s SCRF4502 builds on SCRF3402 to add 5G NR features and extends the capabilities of the complete transceiver chain. This includes low noise amplifiers, power amplifier interfacing with the antenna, filters, high-speed data converters, frequency synthesizers, and mixers to meet the requirements of 5G NR Frequency Range 1.
The Agumbe series is enabled to cover all LTE/5G-NR bands up to 6GHz and supports positioning using India’s own satellite navigation system, NAVIC. The combined multi-standard SoC can act as a base station chipset for low-cost indoor small cells as well as high-performance base stations. These are optimally designed to support evolving network architectures like Open RAN/CRAN with flexible interface configurations.
At the unveiling of these chips, Telecom Secretary, Aruna Sundararajan said “This is a proud moment for India’s Digital Communications industry. I congratulate the Signalchip team for designing India’s first indigenous semiconductor chips for 4G/LTE and 5G NR modems. India aspires to take a leadership role in developing inclusive 5G technologies for economic self-sufficiency and strategic needs of the country. These chips are a significant step in this direction as they have the potential to cater to the growing digital connectivity needs of the next 5 billion users, by enabling high-performance mobile networks at lower cost.”
Signalchip Founder and CEO, Himamshu Khasnis also commented saying “Currently in India, all devices and infrastructure, whether imported or domestically manufactured, use imported silicon chips. Silicon chip design is a very challenging activity requiring high-cost R&D, deep know-how and mastery of multiple complex domains. Hence, this technology is not available in most countries.Given that wireless communication is central to almost all economic, strategic and domestic activities happening today, the ability to indigenously design and develop silicon chips is vital for the security and prosperity of our country”.
Having mentored and funded Signalchip, Zoho Founder and CEO, Sridhar Vembu said “India has always had the talent required to build any technology. We just need to be patient and have enough capital to put it all together. It’s a long-term commitment. Through smart planning and relentless efforts, Signalchip has acquired the capability required to create any complex and globally competitive silicon chip, indigenously from India. I truly appreciate the patience and diligence the Signalchip team has shown to build this chip. Only long-term R&D can make Indian companies globally competitive”.